Bent Over Barbell Row

A back exercise targeting the middle back, performed with barbell.

Bent Over Barbell Row demonstration
Bent Over Barbell Row — demonstration

Body part

Back

Equipment

Barbell

Target muscles

Middle Back

Secondary muscles

Biceps, Lats, Shoulders

How to do Bent Over Barbell Row

  1. Holding a barbell with a pronated grip (palms facing down), bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward, by bending at the waist, while keeping the back straight until it is almost parallel to the floor. Tip: Make sure that you keep the head up. The barbell should hang directly in front of you as your arms hang perpendicular to the floor and your torso. This is your starting position.

  2. Now, while keeping the torso stationary, breathe out and lift the barbell to you. Keep the elbows close to the body and only use the forearms to hold the weight. At the top contracted position, squeeze the back muscles and hold for a brief pause.

  3. Then inhale and slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.

  4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Primary (target)

Middle Back

Secondary

BicepsLatsShoulders

Related exercises

All back exercises →

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